Where Should I Hang Food & Water?

[aart]

Keeping water from freezing is way less money than keeping water warm.

With good insulation and 50W AQ heater, only costs me about $3 a month.
I ran a Kill-A-Watt all one winter to record usage because I wanted to know.

Also, warm water will evaporate more into the air and raise humi6levels more.

Not if you've got nipple waterers

 

[Alaskan]

Not if you've got nipple waterers

So true... never used those.

 

[jpryorx2]

In moderate temps I have both feed and water outside.

Temps get cold and I move feed inside... then it gets colder and I move water inside.

I use a deicer, not a heater for the water. Keeping water from freezing is way less money than keeping water warm. Also, warm water will evaporate more into the air and raise humi6levels more.

What do you mean you use a deicer? I am looking at using nipple Waterers and would rather not have to run a water heater come winter

 

[rosemarythyme]

What do you mean you use a deicer? I am looking at using nipple Waterers and would rather not have to run a water heater come winter

How cold does it get where you live?

You mainly have 2 options to deal with freezing temperatures: 1) heating your waterer in some fashion or 2) bringing in water multiple times a day to compensate for frozen water.

 

[Alaskan]

What do you mean you use a deicer? I am looking at using nipple Waterers and would rather not have to run a water heater come winter

A water heater usually heats up the water to 60 or even 75.

A deicer just keeps it thawed, so maybe the water is kept at only 35 or so. I haven't ever checked with a thermometer to see the exact temp, but it is cool to cold.

I prefer the cost savings.

Also, I use a deicer that is safe to touch, safe to sit on rubber/plastic, safe if you run it dry (water runs out or whatever), and safe if the power goes out and the deicer ends up in an ice block.

However, with that said.... if you use water nipples you might need the water at a higher temp? So the water doesn't freeze in the nipples????

I haven't ever used nipples.

How cold does it get where you live?

You mainly have 2 options to deal with freezing temperatures: 1) heating your waterer in some fashion or 2) bringing in water multiple times a day to compensate for frozen water.

X2

Putting the waterer in the run, up against a clear or clear-ish plastic panel will help keep it thawed for longer, so you can wait longer before spending electric.

 

[jpryorx2]

How cold does it get where you live?

You mainly have 2 options to deal with freezing temperatures: 1) heating your waterer in some fashion or 2) bringing in water multiple times a day to compensate for frozen water.

We are in northern Michigan, we get in the negatives I plan on having a light in there in winter,

 

[BLUEYMOM]

Hey everyone, my husband and I have been building our first coop this weekend and I've been thinking about where I'm going to put everything. I've seen some people hanging their food and water only in the run or in the coop, or water outside and food inside. I'm interested to see what all of you do and why?

I have food container and water container both hanging in the coop. I also have a metal water bowl ( previously from a dog crate) attached to the outside run.

 

[Jenn1018]

I was thinking food inside the coop to keep it dry and water outside, but will they be okay without access to water while they're inside for the night?

I have water outside and my pop door opens at 9:00. They do fine and don’t seem overly anxious to get water when they come out. In the summer I usually put a little waterer inside

I was thinking food inside the coop to keep it dry and water outside, but will they be okay without access to water while they're inside for the night?